Happy Autumnal Equinox ! From the Chronology of Ancient Nations by Al-Biruni.

Happy Autumnal Equinox !

From the Chronology of Ancient Nations by Al-Biruni.

Image shows individuals gathering at a place of worship to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox in India, according to custom. Interestingly, although this scene is set in India, the place of worship is not recognisably Hindu or Buddhist, while the religion of the figures themselves is not portrayed by the artistic conventions which were used to differentiate Hindus or Muslims during the thirteenth and fourteenth century. As such, it is possible that the painter of this scene has substituted a sheikh and his disciples for the Indians worshipping. Written by the famous astronomer and polymath Abu Rayhan Al-Biruni, the Chronology of Ancient Nations is a compendium and chronicle of a vast number of calendars and chronological systems from a variety of different cultural and religious groups from throughout the late antique and medieval periods in the Hellenic world, Central Asia and the Near East. Completed in the year 1000, it even includes details of festivals and liturgical practices, in addition to more specific information. This particular manuscript is thought to have been copied in 1307 and was the archetype for the three later versions which were used by Edward Sachau to translate the document from Arabic into English during the nineteenth century.

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